Just Wright

Just Wright is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed by Sanaa Hamri. Starring Queen Latifah and Common, the film tells the story of a physical therapist who falls in love with a professional basketball player. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Just Wright
Theatrical poster
Directed bySanaa Hamri
Produced by
Written byMichael Elliot
Starring
Music by
CinematographyTerry Stacey
Edited byMelissa Kent
Production
company
Distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures
Release date
  • May 14, 2010 (2010-05-14)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million
Box office$21.5 million[1]

Plot

Leslie Wright, a physical therapist and die-hard basketball fan, is searching for a boyfriend but keeps being told by men that they see her only as a friend. After buying a house, Leslie allows her good friend and god-sister, Morgan, to crash at her home. The flighty and irresponsible Morgan dreams of becoming an NBA trophy wife.

Following a New Jersey Nets basketball game, Leslie helps star player Scott McKnight at a gas station. The two share a friendly conversation about basketball and jazz, and Scott invites Leslie to his birthday party. Leslie attends the party but also brings Morgan who quickly sets her sights on Scott. Intent on hooking his interest, Morgan pretends to volunteer at a homeless shelter and claims to have no interest in Scott at all. Scott is intrigued and tracks her down. After dating for three months, he proposes to her and while Leslie expresses some skepticism about the relationship she is ultimately pleased that Morgan is happy.

At the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Scott suffers a torn PCL injury that puts his entire career in jeopardy. Morgan becomes suspicious of Scott's physical therapist, a beautiful blonde, and begs Leslie to take over as Scott's live-in physical therapist. However, tensions arise as Morgan is now forced to spend more time with Scott and finds herself disliking him. As rumors circle that Scott's career could end quickly if he does not recover by the playoffs, Morgan decides to leave Scott through a letter.

Despite the awkward breakup, Leslie continues to work with Scott. She encourages and helps Scott with his recovery and his confidence and the two bond over their mutual love of basketball and music. Scott expresses surprise that Leslie is not seeing anyone and begins to see her in a more romantic light and Leslie discovers that Scott plays piano, a talent he confides is his secret hobby.

Scott is able to return to the NBA just before the playoffs and wins his first game back after a pep-talk from Leslie. As a thank you, he presents Leslie with her grandfather's classic Mustang which he has had remodelled and refurbished, but also paid extra to leave a dent in the side door intact because Leslie says it reminds her of her grandfather. After taking her to dinner, Leslie and Scott share a kiss and spend the night together.

The next morning, Morgan arrives at Scott's door hoping to reconcile and revealing that she has been in therapy to work on the abandonment issues which led her to leave Scott in the first place. Broken-hearted, Leslie believes she has no chance against Morgan and decides to leave. Scott, who feels he owes it to Morgan to work things out, reluctantly lets Leslie go.

Tensions quickly arise between Morgan and Scott as Morgan continues planning their wedding while Scott wants to take things slow. Meanwhile, Leslie is surprised to discover she's being headhunted by many basketball teams who were impressed by her notable work with Scott. Excited to get an offer from the New Jersey Nets, Leslie realizes she would have to work with Scott and reluctantly turns the offer down. She then decides to interview with teams far from where she lives in order to put some distance between Scott, Morgan, and herself.

During a televised interview, Scott credits Leslie with his success. After praising her, he comes to the realization that he loves Leslie. Morgan, who has been watching the interview, also realizes Scott's feelings and urges him to go reunite with Leslie.

Chasing Leslie to a job interview, Scott tells her he loves her and urges her to reconcile with him despite the anger she might feel. In response, Leslie places a phone call to the New Jersey Nets and accepts a position with them.

A year later, Leslie and Morgan are watching Scott play. Leslie is now one of the Nets' athletic trainers and cheers loudly for Scott, who is at last revealed to be her husband.

Cast

Production

Part of the film was shot at Regis High School in New York City. It was also filmed at Meadowlands Arena (named Izod Center at the time).

Reception

Just Wright received mixed reviews from movie critics. The film's rating on Rotten Tomatoes was 45% as of March 7, 2012. The critical consensus reads: "Well-intentioned but formulaic, Just Wright has winning leads but can't overcome its preponderance of cliches."[2] Conversely, Roger Ebert gave the film 3 stars out of 4.[3]

The film debuted at number four behind Iron Man 2, Robin Hood and Letters to Juliet with $8,284,989 million on its opening weekend. Just Wright grossed $21,540,363 million domestically and $29,900 globally to a total of $21,570,263 million worldwide. The film stayed in theaters 47 days, the equivalent of 6.7 weeks.[4]

Awards
YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResult
2010 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Romantic Comedy Sanaa Hamri Nominated
Choice Movie Actress: Romantic Comedy Queen Latifah Nominated
2011 Black Reel Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Director Sanaa Hamri Nominated
Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original Michael Elliot Nominated
Best Actress Queen Latifah Nominated
Best Original or Adapted Song "Champion" Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Motion Picture Nominated
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television) Michael Elliot Won
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Queen Latifah Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Common Nominated
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See also

References
  1. "Just Wright". The Numbers. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  2. "Just Wright (2010)". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  3. "Just Wright". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  4. Staff (5 August 2010). "Just Wright". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
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